Stage

Openings & Events

Annie JR. You loved it on the big screen (or at least your kids did); now see it performed by Youth Theatre Northwest. Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 E. Mercer Way, Mercer Island, 232-4145, youththeatre.org. $13–$17. Opens Jan. 23. 7 p.m. Fri–Sat., 2 p.m. Sat.–Sun. (except Jan. 24). Ends Feb. 8.

Around the World in 80 Days Five actors take on a total of 39 roles in this madcap adaptation of Jules Verne’s adventure novel. Village Theatre, 303 Front St., Issaquah, 425-392-2202. $35–$67. Preview Jan. 21, opens Jan. 22. Runs Wed.–Sun.; see village
theatre.org for exact schedule. Ends March 1. (Runs at the Everett PAC March 6–29.)

A Delicate Balance Albee’s drama about troubled, brittle people in close quarters. Trinity Parish Church, 609 Eighth Ave., 332-7908. Pay what you can. Opens Jan. 23. Runs Thurs.–Sun.; see theatre912.com for exact schedule. Ends Feb. 14.

The Epiphany A reading of Bruce Olav Solheim’s new play about Norway during the Nazi occupation. Nordic Heritage Museum, 3014 N.W. 67th St., nordic
museum.org. $10–$12. 7 p.m. Thurs., Jan. 22.

Family Affair Jennifer Jasper’s “hilarious, twisted, and ultimately relatable” cabaret on the theme of family. JewelBox Theater at the Rendezvous, 2322 Second Ave., jenniferjasperperforms.com. $10. 7:30 p.m. Wed., Jan. 21.

4,000 Miles A grandson and grandma bond in Amy Herzog’s drama. ArtsWest Playhouse and Gallery, 4711 California Ave. S.W., 938-0339, artswest.org. $15–$46.50. Opens Jan. 22. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Sat., 3 p.m. Sun. Ends Feb. 15.

Letters to the Editor Book-­It not only turns novels into theater, but in this case newspapers—namely, 90 years of The Jewish Transcript. Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., spl.org. Free. 2 p.m. Sun., Jan. 25.

Mwindo Cheryl L. West’s new play, based on a Central African tale, sounds roughly Lion King-y: the exiled son of a chief goes on a coming-of-age quest. Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle Center, 441-3322. $20–$36. Opens Jan. 22. Runs Fri.–Sun. plus some Thurs.; see sct.org for exact schedule. Ends Feb. 15.

Our Town Thornton Wilder’s iconic drama is opening one of the theaters at 12th Avenue Arts. 1620 12th Ave., 800-838-3006, strawshop.org. $18–$36. Opens Jan. 22. 7:30 p.m. Thurs.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends Feb. 21.

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The Piano Lesson Family members clash in Depression-era Pittsburgh in August Wilson’s Pulitzer-winning play. Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Center, 443-2222. $17–­$102. Opens Jan. 21. 7:30 Wed.–Sun. plus some Wed., Sat., Sun. matinees; see 
seattlerep.org for exact schedule. Ends Feb. 8.

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The Three Sisters SEE THE PICK LIST, PAGE 17.

CURRENT RUNS

Aeterno Elementum This unambitious, self-effacing rock opera tells “the tragic story of mankind’s final fall” through a troupe of “fire-dancers . . . aerial acrobats, martial-arts experts, and fully armored knights engaged in authentic medieval combat,” all set to heavy metal. Oh, is that all? Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave., Kirkland, 425-893-9900, kpcenter.org. $30. 8 p.m. Sat., Jan. 24, 6 p.m. Sun., Jan. 25.

The Black Lodge Design your own Twin Peaks episode at this improv show. Unexpected Productions Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 587-2414, unexpected
productions.org. $12–$15. 8:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat. Ends March 7.

Dirty Dancing Nobody puts this 1987 movie classic in a corner. But they did put it onstage. The Paramount, 911 Pine St., 877-­STG-­4TIX. $25 and up. Runs Tues.–Sun.; see stgpresents.org for exact schedule. Ends Feb. 1.

The 4th Graders Present an Unnamed Love-Suicide A child’s final testament becomes a drama-within-a-drama as his classmates re-enact it. Ballard Underground, 2200 N.W. Market St., 395-5458, ghostlighttheatricals.org. $12–$15. 7:30 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. plus 2 p.m. Sun., Jan. 18. Ends Jan. 24.

The Love List In Norm Foster’s comedy, two guys think they’ve cracked the secret of finding the perfect woman. SecondStory Repertory, 16587 N.E. 74th St, Redmond, 881-6777, secondstoryrep.org. $22–$27. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. plus 2 p.m. Sat., Jan. 31. Ends Jan. 31.

The Lower Depths SEE REVIEW, PAGE 19.

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Measure for Measure In this legalistic dystopia, directed by Desdemona Chiang for Seattle Shakespeare Co., marriage costs money; and by fornicating outside of marriage, you can lose your head—literally. While the legitimate Duke of Vienna (David Anthony Lewis) pretends to be out of town, petit-tyrant Angelo (a subdued Bradford Farwell) sentences Claudio (Moses Yim) to death for fornicating with his girlfriend without the proper license (marriage). Claudio’s novitiate sister Isabella (Cindy Im) intercedes on Claudio’s behalf, but refuses Angelo’s quid pro quo demand of her chastity. In fact, his attempted rape of Isabella is played almost for slapstick. Fonts of more conventional humor include lowlifes Lucio (Tim Gouran), concave and jangling with the DTs, who heckles from the audience; natty pimp Pompey (Scott Ward Abernethy), who moonlights as executioner; and pillow-bellied constable Elbow (Harry Todd Jamieson) with his whoopee megaphone. In general, Chiang and company get the balance right to this problematic “unfestive comedy,” which proves again how lust and justice are perilous companions. Just ask Eliot Spitzer. MARGARET FRIEDMAN Center Theatre at Seattle Center, 733-8222. $29–$43. Runs Wed.–Sun.; see seattle
shakespeare.org for exact schedule. Ends Feb. 1.

The Modern Adventures of Sherlock Holmes The audience takes the place of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in this improv mystery. Jet City Improv, 5510 University Way N.E., 352-8291, jetcityimprov.org. $12–$15. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Fri. Ends Feb. 13.

Piggyback Improv inspired by a preceding stand-up routine. Unexpected Productions’ Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 587-2414, unexpectedproductions.org. $10. 8:30 p.m. Sun. Ends Feb. 8.

The Secretaries A black-comic satire of gender stereotypes set in an Oregon lumber mill. Theater Schmeater, 2125 Third Ave., 324-­5801, schmeater.org. $22–$29. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. Ends Feb. 14.

Sprawl SEE REVIEW, PAGE 19.

A Streetcar Named Desire Directed by L. Zane Jones for Civic Rep, this production of Tennessee Williams’ great warhorse strips away the Southern accents. While this staging is not devoid of charm, it fails to connect the dots of the play with a sense of tragic inevitability or heft. The interpretation feels oddly weightless—ungrounded in space and time—despite the formidable rantings of a very enjoyable Stanley. Frail and lovely, Blanche (Robin Jones) arrives in dainty vintage togs with her scuffed trunk of sartorial “tools” for nabbing a man who might save her from moral and financial ruin. Sister Stella (Kelli Mohrbacher) confusingly sports a tattoo, long, streaky blond highlights, and ’50s-style cat-eye glasses. Stanley (a terrific David Nail) looks pure Ballard: L-shaped sideburns, bowling shirt, and pate-stubble. Their dialects seem random—Jackie O, San Fernando Valley, and Queens, respectively. Somehow Blanche just isn’t Blanche without her distinctly Southern cadences. Her words don’t cast their bayou-inflected spell. But the bigger problem is an abiding tentativeness among the central cast. Among them, Nail’s big-throated, Archie Bunker-like Stanley is the performance I’ll remember. He seems to sniff every room he enters and every person he evaluates, trusting that most basic sense over the eyes’ and ears’ vulnerability to seduction. MARGARET FRIEDMAN New City Theatre, 1410 18th Ave., 800-838-3006, brownpapertickets.com. $10–$15. 7:30 p.m. Thurs.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends Jan. 25.

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Teatro ZinZanni: Hacienda Holiday TZZ’s new show keeps its dinner-cabaret formula fresh with acts that mash up entertainment skills in pairs: aerial plus dance en pointe by PNB alumna Ariana Lallone; trapeze plus contortion with Duo Rose; juggling plus the speed and aesthetic of thrash metal by Gamal David Garcia; and ballroom dance plus pole work by the astounding Vertical Tango. All this is organized by just the lightest spritz of storyline: Vivian Beaumount and Clifton Caswell (Christine Deaver and Kevin Kent) return to a swanky hotel to renew their vows. By the end, the gender-melding is complete—Beaumount and Caswell reconcile, each adopting at least two sexes, maybe more. It’s a romantic finale as spicy as the Southwest-inspired menu. GAVIN BORCHERT Teatro ZinZanni, 222 Mercer St., 802-0015. $99 and up. Runs Thurs.–Sun. plus some Wed.; see zinzanni.com/seattle for exact schedule. Ends Jan. 31.

The Velveteen Rabbit Toys come to life in this children’s classic. SecondStory Repertory, Redmond Town Center, 16587 N.E. 74th St., Redmond, 425-881-6777, secondstoryrep.org. 1 & 3 p.m. Sat.–Sun. Ends Jan. 25.

Dance

Carmona Flamenco Traditional music and dance. Cafe Solstice, 4116 University Way N.E., 932-­4067, carmona2@comcast.net. $15–$20. 8 & 9:30 p.m. Sat., Jan. 24.

Classical, Etc.

The Met: Live in HD Opera from NYC at a moviehouse near you. This week, Renee Fleming sings the title role in Lehar’s The Merry Widow. See fathomevents.com for participating theaters. 6:30 p.m. Wed., Jan. 21.

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Seattle Opera In the title role of Puccini’s 1900 opera Tosca, Ausrine Stundyte proves a courageous actress, adeptly playing up her not-so-attractive side—her coquettishness and jealousy—as well as her later heroism. The soprano’s one vocal issue was a vibrato that, curiously, sounded fully under control only in Act 2—luckily, this act includes Tosca’s big solo, “Vissi d’arte,” which was gorgeous: passionate and thoughtful, artful and emotionally direct. Singing her lover Cavaradossi, Stefano Secco’s voice has a fairly baritonal color, richly easy on the ear and lacking nothing in carrying or penetrating power. And as Scarpia, Greer Grimsley engagingly lets his voice go a little “Italian” at times, with just hints of the scoops, slides, and sobs you’ve never heard him use as Wotan in Wagner’s Ring. He and Stundyte rightfully earned unexpected mid-act applause after Scarpia’s powerfully staged and sung death scene. GAVIN BORCHERT McCaw Hall, Seattle Center, 389-7676. $25 and up. Ends Jan. 24; see seattleopera.org for exact schedule.

Seattle Symphony Pink Martini is the special guest band. Benaroya Hall, Third Ave. & Union St., 215-4747, seattlesymphony.org. $69–$109. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Jan. 22.

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The Ballad of Ishtar Wayne Horvitz, Beth Fleenor, Paris Hurley, and Ahamefule J. Oluo are among the collaborators in Heather Bentley’s semi-improvised electroacoustic opera, a contemporary take on the myth of the Babylonian goddess. Chapel Performance Space, 4649 Sunnyside Ave.N., heatherbentleymusic.com. $5–$15. 8 p.m. Thurs., Jan. 22–Sat., Jan. 24.

Seven Last Words Haydn’s devotional, meditative string quartet is woven with new verse by Robert Bringhurst and Jan Zwicky. Trinity Parish Church, 698 Eighth Ave., 325-7066, earlymusicguild.org. $10–$25. 7:30 p.m. Fri., Jan. 23.

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Seattle Chamber Music Society Six concerts plus other events, Jan. 23–31. Recitals at 6:30 p.m., concerts at 7:30 (except where noted). Benaroya Recital Hall, Third Ave. & Union St., seattlechambermusic.org. Single tickets $16–$48, series $135–$270.
• Jan. 23 Recital: Anne-Marie McDermott plays two Haydn piano sonatas. Concert: Bach, Martinu, and Elgar’s Piano Quintet, which I’d argue is his best work.
• Jan. 24 Recital: Harpsichordist music from Luc Beausejour. Concert: Handel, Beethoven, Dohnanyi.
• Jan. 25

2 p.m. recital: Oboist/pianist/composer Ben Haussmann performs. 3 p.m. concert: Mozart’s piano-and-wind quintet and a handful of Vivaldi concertos.

Seattle Opera Frost Fest Vocal music and kids’ activities in this family event. Cornish Playhouse, Seattle Center, seattleopera.org. $5 (under 18 free). 12:30 p.m. Sat., Jan. 24.

Pallade Musica Biber’s Mystery Sonatas and more from this Montreal group. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 325-7066, earlymusicguild.org. $20–$45. 8 p.m. Sat., Jan. 24.

Seattle Symphony A joint concert (Hindemith and Tchaikovsky) with members of the Seattle Youth Symphony. Benaroya Hall, Third Ave. & Union St., 215-4747, seattlesymphony.org. Free. 2 p.m. Sun., Jan. 25.

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Auburn Symphony Chamber Concert From ASO musicians, works by Harrison, Stockhausen, and Webern. Really. St. Matthew Episcopal Church, 123 L St. N.E., Auburn, 253-887-7777, auburnsymphony.org. $10–$17. 4 p.m. Sun., Jan. 25.

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Meg Brennand & David White From this cellist and pianist, the second of three concerts of Beethoven’s cello works. This one includes the Sonata in A Major, probably the most popular of them all. First Church Seattle, 180 Denny Way, $10–$25. 5 p.m. Sun., Jan. 25.

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Music of Remembrance A concert to mark the 70th anniversary, to the day, of the liberation of Auschwitz. Benaroya Hall, Third Ave. & Union St., music
ofremembrance.org. Free, but reserve a ticket via 215-4747 or at the Benaroya box office. 5 p.m. Tues., Jan. 27.

Winds of the Baroque Chamber music for flute, oboe, and bassoon. Christ Episcopal Church, 4548 Brooklyn Ave. N.E., 633-1611, salishseafestival.org. $15–$25. 7:30 p.m. Tues., Jan. 27.

Mozart Birthday Toast The “Dissonance” string quartet, bits from Don Giovanni, and more, plus bubbles and bonbons, to celebrate Wolfgang’s 259th. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave,. townhallseattle.org. $13–$18. 7:30 p.m. Tues., Jan. 27.